Cost of Living in McCook, NE

Population 7,360 · Nebraska · Data vintage 2023

51
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

McCook is a smaller Nebraska community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $51,815 and housing costs ($137,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 1.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 210 miles west of Lincoln, McCook is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 45% lower than Lincoln's $248,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 45
Rent 60

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in McCook

The median home value in McCook is $137,400 — 55% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $783/month, 40% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,815/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Nebraska's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. Overall, McCook has a cost of living index of 51 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$137,400
55% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$499,085
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$783/mo
40% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$622
1 BR
$703
2 BR
$907
3 BR
$1,155
4 BR
$1,220
Owner-occupied 67.1%
Renter-occupied 32.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$783
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,397/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
11.9 min
56% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.6%
Carpooled
3.7%
Walked
2.6%
Work from home
6.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.9%
State rate 5.5%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$51,815
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$36,008
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
66% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.8%
Graduate degree 7.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 39.8
Female median age 42.5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in McCook, NE?

McCook has a cost index of 51 (100 = national average). It is 49% below the national average.

What is average rent in McCook, NE?

The median gross rent in McCook is $783 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in McCook?

The median home value in McCook is $137,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in McCook?

The median household income in McCook is $51,815 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in McCook, NE?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in McCook is 6.9%. The Nebraska state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is McCook, NE affordable?

Yes, McCook is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 51 — about 49% below the US national average of 100.

McCook at a Glance

Population
7,360
Median Income
$51,815
Home Value
$137,400
Median Rent
$783/mo
Unemployment
1.6%
Sales Tax
6.9%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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